PM Modi assures complete Central help to drought-hit Chhattisgarh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today discussed drought situation in Chattishgarh with Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh as part of his review of the drought situation in 11 States to mitigate the problem with focus on immediate, medium and long term measures.

"We have made long term solutions for drought. We have increased from 150 to 200 days for wages under MNREGA. Better use of water has been taken care of in policy terms. Effects have been seen of the government policy in villages regarding water problems. We will improve our situation and in future would mitigate the problem from arriving. The Prime Minister gave directions that the Centre would help," Raman told the media here after his meeting.

Chhattisgarh government has declared 93 tehsils in 20 districts across the state as drought-hit in view of deficient rainfall.

These tehsils would not have crop yield higher than 50 paise as per 'Aanawari', which is a measure of crop yield in farms.

Drought hit tehsils are in the districts of Balod, Dantewada, Koriya, Raipur, Mahasamund, Dhamtari, Gariyaband, Durg, Bemetara, Rajnandgaon, Bastar, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Bijapur, Bilaspur, Mungeli, Korba, Raigarh, Balrampur and Jashpur.

In the year 2015, the state has recorded 83 per cent less rainfall compared to the previous year. The centre has approved 1,672 crore rupees as financial aid for drought affected Chhattisgarh.

He has earlier held separate meetings with the Chief Ministers of eight states including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Gujarat.